The government has issued a new report, prepared for the Department of Transport, on the future of State-owned airports that claims Dublin Airport could need a new terminal by 2030 and that such a terminal could be privately operated.

The Irish Independent reports that in response to the report's assertions, Aer Lingus stated that talk of an independent terminal is a "distraction" that could shift attention away from the requirement under national aviation policy to develop Dublin Airport as a hub. The airline also believes that this "distraction" could curb traffic growth and get in the way of realising "wider economic benefits".

Meanwhile, Ryanair contested that the need to increase runway capacity at Dublin Airport is greater than the need to add a new terminal while the DAA proclaimed that even with rapid passenger growth, the airport will not need a new terminal as soon as 2030.